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MISCELLANEOUS.

the truth than others. No doubt, in the millions around us in our own land, there are great numbers of honest souls, of excellent people who would receive the truth, if it were introduced to them as favourably as it has been introduced to us. There must be suitable mediums for this work, and the mediums must be multiplied. These mediums are pious, large-hearted, talented men, well-educated and well-practised in the sublime art of bringing great principles home to the minds and the consciences of men. Dr. Bayley continued,-Ministers were wanted first to supply our own societies, which are large enough to maintain them, so that where now there is a feeble band, with an unattractive service, there might be the complete work of the ministry, given by a man eloquent in the pulpit, and diligent out. Secondly, there are efficient ministers wanted, to be aided by the church in general, where societies are small, who shall preach in districts, strengthening the present little centres, and preaching in the villages around. Thirdly, there are wanted ministers for the missionary work in the kingdom at large, to go through the length and breadth of the land, and sow the truth broadcast. And fourthly, the church should not forget that the present effective ministers are overworked. There should be more to share their labours, or those labours would prematurely be lost. The present men would too early break down. Dr. Bayley concluded by moving the first resolution:-"That this meeting desires to express its conviction of the increasing importance of the object of the Students and Ministers' Aid Fund, for the spread of those great truths which we believe to have come down from the Lord out of heaven, as the leaves of the Tree of Life, for the healing of the nations."

This was seconded by the Rev. O. P. HILLER, who remarked that he altogether concurred in the remarks of Dr. Bayley. The great mass of evils was the result of error, and could only be removed by the removal of the fatal doctrine, now so prevalent, of instantaneous salvation by faith alone. He illustrated this by quoting a late reported declaration of Mr. Spurgeon, "That Faith was like a postage stamp, which, if put upon the dirtiest possible bit of paper, and whatever in sense or form it might contain, would insure its being safe at its journey's end." We want men, said Mr. Hiller,

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to explode such dangerous and horrible errors, and to teach men that heaven is not entered by those who have outside profession, either like a postage stamp or anything else, but whose hearts have been made pure by Regeneration. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." He cordially seconded the resolution.

The second resolution was moved by Mr. GUNTON, and was as follows: "That this meeting is convinced that, in addition to the varied forms in which this fund has been supported, the time has arrived when a list of annual subscribers should be formed, whose subscriptions could be depended upon, and be made payable in January; and this meeting engages to forward the formation of such list by all the means in its power." Mr. Gunton observed that it was clear that the Church generally had felt the importance of the institution they were that evening advocating, for it had been adopted and recommended by the Conference to the warmest support of the people. Its use had already been considerable, and it bade fair to answer the expectations of its best friends. There was Mr. Hyde, who was so efficient both in the pulpit and with his pen. Mr. Potts was now placed with the Society at Melbourne; other gentlemen, with societies, had been aided; and societies were known in some instances vigorously to be desiring the services of some of their present students. All these things show that their work was being appreciated by the Church; and he considered the time had fully come when they should have a list of permanent subscribers who would give a settled basis to the institution, like that of the Swedenborg Society and the Missionary Society; and that view was advocated by his resolution, which he hoped would be cordially adopted by the meeting.

THOMAS WATSON, Esq., cordially seconded the resolution, and would be happy to do his part in giving it practical effect. He believed that an earnest and attractive advocacy was the most efficient mode of advancing the truths of the Church. Books were excellent, and ought never to be neglected; but there is a power in the living voice which summons attention and wins assent. Mr. Watson also sympathised strongly with the remark that their ministers were too much pressed upon for their

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number, and demanded a considerable increase of their number, if they were not to be prematurely lost.

H. R. WILLIAMS, Esq., rose to support the resolution, but, at the same time, would be glad to know from the treasurer what was the exact state of the affairs of the institution. He thought that more was being done for the students now than was originally contemplated, and he wished to know the expense and the state of the fund. It was, he had no doubt, in the best interests of the Church that this institution should be supported, and wished the information he asked that all might know what had to be done.

The TREASURER stated that the expenditure of last year was £180., and the income, including Conference grant, was somewhat over £140. The difference was made up by selling out stock which had been bought by money which had previously been raised for this purpose and invested in stock, because there was no present need for it. At the present time they were spending £21. per month, and, not taking into account any proceeds of this meeting, there was only £32. in hand to see them to next Conference.

The resolution was then put and carried.

Mr. BRABY proposed the next resolution:"That this meeting rejoices to see that the General Conference was able to determine to adopt an increased number of young men to prepare for the ministry; and desires to welcome the young men to their glorious work, and to assure them of its hearty sympathy.' Mr. Braby called attention to the fact that the New Church had not only to propound its truths and principles, but to encounter also persecution, sometimes bitter persecution. The dragon opposed the Man-child, and would continue to do So. There were also the difficulties which arose from our own faults and the errors of those who misconceived the spirit of the New Church, and became involved in Spiritism or other grievous perplexities. The moral he drew from this was that we ought to be truly humble, sincere, and faithful ourselves; and to strengthen as much as possible the Church, by providing an increased band of pious and talented men who can meet and defeat all the forms of error, and whose learning would sustain them in banishing ignorance and advancing truth. He very cordially moved the

resolution, and welcomed the young men to their important duties.

Mr. ISAAC GUNTON seconded the resolution, and observed that the difference of a society with an efficient ministry and one without might be illustrated by many examples within the knowledge of all. He referred to especial instances where societies were placed in these circumstances, and stated it as his conviction that one main element of a society's success lies in the pulpit being so efficiently occupied that you may not only be edified yourselves but cheerfully invite friends to come and hear. appealed to the building in which they were assembled as a proof.

He

On the invitation of the chairman, two of the students, Mr. Moss and Mr. Pilkington, responded to the welcome and assurance of sympathy contained in the resolution, and signified their entire sympathy with the whole purpose of the meeting, to advance the glorious doctrines of the New Jerusalem.

A fourth resolution was moved, seconded, and adopted by the meeting, viz.:— "That a tea party be held, on Wednesday, the first week in April, in the Schoolroom, Argyle-square, to advance the interests of this institution, and that the Committee make the best arrangements possible to give it effect."

MINISTERS' MEETING, MANCHESTER. On Tuesday, the 13th ultimo, a meeting of the Lancashire Ministers of the New Church was held in Manchester, when there were present the Revds. R. Storry and E. D. Rendell (the President and Vice-president of Conference), W. Woodman, J. Boys, J. B. Kennerley, and C. G. Macpherson, and also Mr. E.J. Broadfield.

Mr. STORRY, having been called to the chair, gave his views on the valuable uses which might be promoted by meetings similar to the present, a sentiment in which every member of the meeting fully concurred. On entering on the subject for the consideration of which the meeting was more especially convened-" The most useful course of Study for Candidates for the Ministry," the Chairman explained that it was a subject to which he had recently given considerable attention, and had, in a communication to the committee of the Students and Ministers' Aid Fund, expressed his views at some length; and the present meeting appeared to him most opportune. The considera

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tion of his letter had been postponed, and if his brethren concurred in his view, it would come before the committee with the weight and authority of all the Lancashire ministers.

An animated and highly useful debate then ensued, in which every member took part. Mr. Woodman having called the meeting and suggested the subject, being called on by the chairman to state his views, explained that he had been very strongly impressed with the conviction that the present course of study or curriculum pursued by the student was rather the result of accident than of careful thought and deliberation. A young man was now placed for two years in connection with the college, where, by matriculating at the London University, he might study for a degree, and when he had obtained a B.A., the practice had hitherto been to consider him fit to preach. It was, he (Mr. Woodman) thought, open to question, whether this was the best course to adopt, at least in the present circumstances of the church. It was open to doubt whether, in the attainment of a degree, many of the studies demanded were essential to the ministry, whilst others, indispensable to the efficient exercise of it, were excluded. The curriculum was mainly confined to classics, mathematics, and science, whilst Hebrew, the Hellenistic, or New Testament Greek, and theology, formed no part of it; and the speaker urged that the Hebrew of the Old Testament, the Greek of the New, and an acquaintance with Swedenborg's works in the original Latin were indispensable. And without depreciating classical and other studies, these ought, nevertheless, in the opinion of the speaker, to be first secured, and even a knowledge of Swedenborg's philosophical works, before the student contemplated the acquirement of a degree. This speaker also spoke strongly on the necessity of the cultivation of piety by the students for the ministry, and indeed among the young generally; the more so as he feared there was much improvement required in this respect. The cultivation of it in the young was indeed to him a practical problem he had not been able to solve.

Mr. E. J. BROADFIELD quite corroborated the view of the previous speaker, showing, by enumerating the list of subjects which form the curriculum for the first and second B.A.s in the London

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University, that students could have no time for theological studies, and many of the subjects could be of no direct aid to the ministerial duties. There was, it is true, as he had found, in some studies, which appeared to have no particular reference to theology, valuable assistance in understanding Swedenborg; he might mention the subject of physical optics as having afforded him such aid. There was a further Scriptural examination open to graduates, in the Greek of the New Testament, Hebrew, Paley's Evidences, and Butler's Analogy. Moreover, some of the works usually read were of very questionable character. Of the works of Sir W. Hamilton he could speak in the highest terms, as containing the highest philosophy, greatest intellect, strong feeling of piety, and thorough belief in the Christian religion. There had, however, recently been a new professor appointed, of the name of Baines, whose books were of a decidedly materialistic tendency. He sets out with no assumption, nor does he attack the positions of others; but attempts to account for the mental phenomena, including volition, by forces we can grasp, and thus aims at persuading the student that he has no need to trouble himself with difficult or occult questions.

Mr. MACPHERSON said that the Univer

sities prescribed a course of study or curriculum, and for this they gave a degree. Besides this, they also provided for special study for particular professions. The first was an excellent discipline, and imparted great mental vigour, whereby the study of a new subject or branch of knowledge would be greatly facilitated. That is to say, a person who had studied for a degree would much more readily acquire Hebrew, for instance, than one who had not passed through that mental discipline. Macpherson next suggested the query, whether some of the books at present required to be read by the students might not be usefully substituted for others. He was of opinion that Noble's "Plenary Inspiration," or Appeal," might be substituted for the True Christian Religion." At all events, there should be an examination of the student in

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his knowledge of the works he is required to read, and also in his ability to defend the doctrines when assailed. course of his observations he also adverted to the present domestic position

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of the students. The rules for the management of the Students' and Ministers' Aid Fund required that the students should be placed under the care of a minister, who should direct their studies, &c.; but that, he believed, was not the case, and how far it was practicable he could not say. The college would probably say "Send them to us, and we will superintend their mental and moral training." For his part, however, he should most strongly object to a number of young men being shut up in any college an objection which applied, in his mind, equally to New Church students as to others.

Mr. RENDELL remarked that it had appeared to him that the New Church had overlooked one important point. They had appeared to assume that young persons among us were different from others; whereas it must not be forgotten that unregenerated human nature was very similar among all classes. He quite agreed with the previous speaker on the moral injury likely to follow from numbers of young men being congregated in colleges; and strongly urged that an effort should be made to carry out the provisions of the rule which required that the students should be placed under the supervision of a minister, adding that he did not consider the scheme to be so impracticable as it might at first sight appear. With reference to an examination of the students in what they were required to read, he quite concurred with the remarks which had preceded his; although he did not see the necessity of substituting the " Appeal

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Plenary Inspiration" for the "True Christian Religion." He should suppose that there was no student who had not read that work previously to his having become a candidate for the ministry; at least he ought to have read it, and have some acquaintance with its contents. Then, as to the prospects of students, it must be remembered that young men are of different geniuses; some could not by any course of study, ever become preachers, even some who were impressed with a desire of preaching; and it was the duty of the church to tell them plainly that such was the case. Of others again, some would, from their peculiar temperament, aim at obtaining a degree, which might indeed be accomplished after the other studies have been completed; the rest would probably con

tent themselves with the attainment of the knowledge adequate to the efficient performance of their duties.

Mr. KENNERLEY, in some interesting remarks, gave a general critique on the different theological works of Swedenborg, in relation to the requirements of the student. The "Divine Love and Wisdom" was the Euclid of the New Church. In the "Divine Providence," the relatively abstract principles of the former work were shown in their relation to the experience of man. In the "True Christian Religion" these principles were embodied in doctrines, and the reader, by means of the Memorabilia, was brought to some acquaintance with the spiritual, whilst the "Heaven and Hell" would enlarge his acquaintance with that world, and the " Apocalypse Explained" would give him a knowledge of the spiritual sense of the Word. He mentioned this in preference to the "Arcana," the latter work partaking more of the recondite character of the "Divine Love and Wisdom."

After a few more remarks from the chairman, who referred to the practice of the Unitarians, who had two curricula, one of a more simple and shorter kind, which consisted in acquiring good English, the Greek of the New Testament, house visiting, and the forming of Mission Stations; the other, more elaborate, embracing the branches of study necessary for a degree, which occupies three years, when a similar period is devoted to theological studies,—the following resolution was unanimously passed :

"That since the duties of the ministry have primary respect to the Word, its right understanding, teaching, and application-the studies to which the attention of the candidates for the ministry should be chiefly directed, are those which bear on its nature and true meaning-such as the Hebrew of the Old Testament, the Greek of the New, and the doctrines and expositions of the Divine Word, as contained in the theological works of Swedenborg in the Latin tongue; to which may be added his philosophical works where convenient. Whilst, however, these are considered to be primary studies, nevertheless this opinion is not intended to undervalue the pursuit of classical and literary acquirements with the view to obtaining a University degree, where the opportunities are favourable."

The meeting then decided on holding

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LONDON, Dec. 15th, 1864. Editor.-Dear Sir,-I am instructed by the committee of the "Missionary and Tract Society" to lay before your readers a statement of the subscriptions already received towards the "Antediluvian History."*

It is gratifying to the committee to see that their choice has been approved: and they earnestly hope that those friends who have not yet given their mite to this important effort to circulate New Church Theology will now be induced

to do so.

The "Antediluvian History" treats of the spiritual sense of the early chapters of Genesis-the interpretation of which is admitted to be about the most open of any part of the Scriptures to the objections of infidels. The Antediluvian History shows that the Word of God is given to us, not for our enlightenment in scientific things, but for our spiritual instruction and for our moral regeneration. At the present time few works possess greater interest to the thinking portion of the public than those devoted to the question of "Biblical Interpreta

* See December No., p. 580.

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tion;" and the committee confidently hope that the subscription list will be very considerably extended, and that this work, at its present low price of 2s. 6d., will be largely circulated and presented by members and friends of the church to their acquaintances, to ministers, to inquirers, and also to societies and institutions.

Subscriptions already received towards the circulation of the "Antediluvian History:

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COPIES.

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The members of the Committee
Accrington Society, per Mr. E. Riley.. 80
Bateman H., Esq.
Berry Mr. J. P..
Broadfield J., Esq.
Edleston R., Esq.
Hughes W., Esq.
Mc.Nab
-, Esq.
Negus James, Esq.
Pitman Mr. J.
Priestley Esq.
Ridsdale -
Esq.
Rous Mr. J.
Sheffield Society, per Mr. Wilkinson.. 16
Tennyson F., Esq...

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Subscriptions towards the circulation of the " Antediluvian History" will be received by the Treasurer of the Missionary and Tract Society, Mr. E. C. Sandy, Louisa Villa, Alleyn-road, Norwood, S., or by Mr. F. Pitman, the secretary.

The amount of the subscriptions will, if desired, be returned, partially or wholly, in copies of the work, neatly bound in cloth, at 2s. 6d. each.

WIGAN. The society here has continued to strengthen its position, and now includes a Sunday school of some forty children. On the 11th December, the assistance of the Rev. W. Woodman was kindly given, and his two able discourses were listened to with marked attention, the attendance in the evening being as many as the room would accommodate. The collections during the day amounted to £3. 3s.

STOCKPORT.-On the 13th, 20th, and

27th of November the little society of Stockport was highly edified by the delivery of a course of Sunday evening lectures by Mr. Thomas Robinson, of Newton Heath. The subjects

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